The texts listed below are considered to be of literary merit and suitable for study at NCEA Level 3 and level 8 of the curriculum because they allow the students to respond critically:
American Beauty works well...I've marked level 3 and most students who did it engaged with it.
Heavenly Creatures
River Queen
Out of the Blue
Gattaca
The Pianist
In the Name of the father
Because of them and their astonishment with the film, I learn something new every year – hence the reason I keep presenting it to them. They are well-read, often political, and have a world experiences so are able to bring a lot to their appreciation of the text
Did a module a few years ago with a mixed ability class (co-ed but heavy on boys) called the wheel thing - looking at texts to do with cars, especially articles on boy racers and the driving age. There are a number of lovely nz short stories that fit the theme(novels too, for that matter). We viewed The Worlds Fastest Indian. It worked well.
Absolutely fantastic film for Year 12 or 13. It is an R16 – we sent a letter home before teaching it and made sure all students were 16.
V for Vendetta
Is great for less able students, as well as bright students. has a number of good themes and motifs to use, as well as the fact it ties in with the world today.
No country for old men
Black hawk down
Leaving Las Vegas
Gone Baby Gone
Samson and Delilah
For my B-band year 13 class last year I used the Australian film Samson and Delilah - gritty and certainly relatable for our kids, plenty to work with and plenty of texts which support it (addressing the idea of the Stolen Generation, alienation etc). The students got some pleasing results.
Blade Runner
A lot of the students have an interest in sci fi, and I'm looking at the genre for a level 3 media studies ext on genre included in the English course.
The Hurt Locker
It's a very, very good senior text to read. Perhaps not to 'study' but if your level 3 students are doing war or courage, this might be a worthwhile film to view.
I have used it with our Military Academy... they loved it... it was great to use for 'Everyone is a Critic' at level 2 and 8835 theme for the level 3 in the academy where we are looking at War.
Yes, we are using it at Hamilton Boys’ High School with our top Year 13 English Scholarship students. We have found it to be sophisticated, complex, multi-layered and highly skilful film-making. There is absolutely enough material for an in-depth study of this film. Please do not make the mistake of thinking this is “only” a war film – check out the extended criteria for Level 3 film essays – it easily allows for excellence level responses.
Traffic
Traffic is pretty gritty and you would need to make a call if it was appropriate for your class.
Babel
Babel provided great extension for those that needed it.
Crash
Those that needed things kept simple could choose to focus only on Crash which is very accessible.
Bright Star
Enduring Love
The Constant Gardener
The Pianist
Polanski
District 9
I had thought about District 9 but am not sure it has enough in it for Level 3.
Revolutionary Road
Away We Go
500 Days of Summer
Painted Veil
Requires students to be sensitive to human dilemma and to be able to articulate this well. Possibly higher level students?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
I thought about "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" but it might be a tad complex.
I have had huge success with this film for the past few years. My more able students fly with it but is totally accessible to all students I have found. LOVE teaching it!!
I've taught it a number of times to Level 3 and have had outstanding results every time! Artemis have a good unit that gives a solid start. Looking at the change of season corresponding to Clem's changing hair colour along with the development and eventual break down of their relationship drills well into the structure of the film as well as a number of motifs. Then linking in the idea of people manipulating feelings and interfering with others' relationships could tie in with Much Ado. As for ESOTSM...go for it!!!!
Schools should adhere to guidelines available from the Office of Film and Literature Classification regarding how films should be chosen and used in schools.
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